Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 10, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 928 28017 Osprey 0 1 119 Bald Eagle 0 25 131 Northern Harrier 0 43 703 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 165 9131 Cooper's Hawk 0 46 320 Northern Goshawk 0 8 20 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 276 671 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 70722 Red-tailed Hawk 9 2053 4136 Rough-legged Hawk 0 16 21 Golden Eagle 0 82 147 American Kestrel 0 6 2459 Merlin 0 5 84 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 163 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 9 3657 116845 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours Official Counter: Jim Dunn Observers: Bob Johnstone, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan Visitors: None today. Thanks to Jim, Mary, Keith and Bob for doing today's count. Weather: It was a lovely day to be out and about, but not so good for hawkwatching, at least, not at Hawk Cliff. SE / SSE winds and balmy temperatures were likely the main factors working against us today. Things are looking better for later in the week with winds perhaps getting around to the WNW or even NW. Raptor Observations: All 9 of the Red-tails that we saw today were fairly low, seen at Sharpie Alley. A few "locals" (a TV, an uncountable Red-tail, a Coop) provided interest, but all 3 appeared to be hunting and never did cross the road. In fact, the Coop finally decided to go east instead of west. Non-raptor Observations: Observers reported fewer avian species today than we have had lately, with just 19 in total. However, of those we did see, several species were seen in large flocks. First, there was a large flock of American Pipits foraging just south of Sharpie Alley while White-throated Sparrows were everywhere up and down Hawk Cliff Rd, with some flying back and forth across the road and others just moving up and down the road on both sides, low among the shrubs. A few Song and White-crowned Sparrows were also seen lurking in roadside weeds. American Goldfinches were seen -- and heard! -- up and down the road; Cedar Waxwings dominated the remaining berry patches especially in the low spots between the knoll and Sharpie Alley. Am. Robins, Am. Crows and Bluejays seem to be mainly local at this point, but still around. As well, flocks of Canada Geese, Mallards and Tundra Swans were spotted again today. A Pileated Woodpecker called repeatedly from the woods but wouldn't come out; a couple of Downy Woodpeckers plus a Hairy were seen along the roadside. Some Juncos and a single Yellow-rumped Warbler were also among today's sightings. The big non-raptor news, however, was the insect population -- observers noted 2 Painted Ladies (butterflies). Not to be outdone, dragonflies put in an appearance with multiple sightings of what was probably a single Shadow Darner patrolling the lane way at the south end of Sharpie Alley and several Meadowhawks sunning in the grass and leaf litter along the roadside. This has to be some kind of record! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown ([email protected]) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
